I like it. First of all, I thought that it was stupid to single out smokers. Secondly, based upon this article, it is evident that paying smoker rates would be based upon stupidity as opposed to being a smoker. "I smoke 4 packs a day three times a week" would qualify the person as a non smoker. Why would anyone be honest about this?

duckyhood

Member

posted: Apr. 10, 2013 @ 8:05p

BrodyInsurance said: I like it. First of all, I thought that it was stupid to single out smokers. Secondly, based upon this article, it is evident that paying smoker rates would be based upon stupidity as opposed to being a smoker. "I smoke 4 packs a day three times a week" would qualify the person as a non smoker. Why would anyone be honest about this?

I do not want to pay for insurance that covers me going to the doctor for a common cold, yearly physical, etc.

Let's have "a la carte" insurance where you buy for what you want covered (like auto insurance). I want to be covered for cancer, but I don't want to pay insurance for pregnancy, etc.

I do understand that some people need to pay for pre existing "health care"... not insurance. You don't pay for car insurance after an accident, and if you do you pay more.

Some people's health care is going to cost more than others, that is just a fact of life, and unfortunately those people should pay more than the healthy.

I use to also believe that health insurance should only cover serious life changing illnesses (just like how car insurance only cover major accidents). I have changed my opinion on this after seeing the lack of personal responsibility of your average Americans. A lot of people will never go see a doctor if they have to pay out of pocket for it. They don't even want to pay a small co-pay for office visits or medicines. People will ignore any health issues until it becomes serious and they end up in the ER. Then it will really cost the government and us. I think prevention, early detection of health problems, and annual (maybe even bi-annual) checkups are the key to lowering long term healthcare costs.

BrodyInsurance

Senior Member - 2K

posted: Apr. 11, 2013 @ 7:33a

Theboogeyman,

Why has your belief changed? The evidence does not support the notion that preventive medical care decreases medical costs.,

tomjef

Member

posted: Apr. 11, 2013 @ 9:16a

BrodyInsurance said: I like it. First of all, I thought that it was stupid to single out smokers. Secondly, based upon this article, it is evident that paying smoker rates would be based upon stupidity as opposed to being a smoker. "I smoke 4 packs a day three times a week" would qualify the person as a non smoker. Why would anyone be honest about this?

Because if they're not honest about it they will be traded to Bubba for a pack of smokes.

BrodyInsurance

Senior Member - 2K

posted: Apr. 11, 2013 @ 10:19a

tomjef said: BrodyInsurance said: I like it. First of all, I thought that it was stupid to single out smokers. Secondly, based upon this article, it is evident that paying smoker rates would be based upon stupidity as opposed to being a smoker. "I smoke 4 packs a day three times a week" would qualify the person as a non smoker. Why would anyone be honest about this?

Because if they're not honest about it they will be traded to Bubba for a pack of smokes.

What page of Obamacare has the criminal penalties for making a mistake in one's smoking status?

tomjef

Member

posted: Apr. 11, 2013 @ 10:34a

BrodyInsurance said: tomjef said: BrodyInsurance said: I like it. First of all, I thought that it was stupid to single out smokers. Secondly, based upon this article, it is evident that paying smoker rates would be based upon stupidity as opposed to being a smoker. "I smoke 4 packs a day three times a week" would qualify the person as a non smoker. Why would anyone be honest about this?

Because if they're not honest about it they will be traded to Bubba for a pack of smokes.

What page of Obamacare has the criminal penalties for making a mistake in one's smoking status?

If they ask about tobacco use in the last twelves months, and you lie about your tobacco use, then you have committed insurance fraud. Additionally, if you applied through a government-run exchange or other government channel, then you have also made a false statement to a government agency, which is also a crime.

BrodyInsurance

Senior Member - 2K

posted: Apr. 11, 2013 @ 11:00a

tomjef said: BrodyInsurance said: tomjef said: BrodyInsurance said: I like it. First of all, I thought that it was stupid to single out smokers. Secondly, based upon this article, it is evident that paying smoker rates would be based upon stupidity as opposed to being a smoker. "I smoke 4 packs a day three times a week" would qualify the person as a non smoker. Why would anyone be honest about this?

Because if they're not honest about it they will be traded to Bubba for a pack of smokes.

What page of Obamacare has the criminal penalties for making a mistake in one's smoking status?

If they ask about tobacco use in the last twelves months, and you lie about your tobacco use, then you have committed insurance fraud. Additionally, if you applied through a government-run exchange or other government channel, then you have also made a false statement to a government agency, which is also a crime.

From the article, tobacco use is 4 or more times a week for the past 6 months. With no medical underwriting, the only smokers will be people who self report as smokers. Even if they can take blood and/or urine, under this definition one can test positive for nicotine and still be a non-smoker.

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